Bathyphlebia flavior, male, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

DISTRIBUTION:

The Bathyphlebia flavior moth (wingspan: males: 95-109mm; females: 111-119mm) flies in
northeastern Peru: Huanuco and Junin and probably Pasco, and on the eastern slopes of the Andes in
Ecuador: Napo, Morona-Santiago, Loja, Zamora-Chinchipe LTR, and probably Pastaza, at elevations of 2100-2700m.

Bathyphlebia flavior pair, courtesy of Mike Buczkowski.

In males, the forewings are elongated with a pointed apex and a concave outer margin. There is also slightly more yellow scaling near the forewing apex than in johnsoni.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Bathyphlebia flavior flies in November-December and again in March, suggesting a possible second brood although elevation and temperature might explain the long flight season.

Larvae probably feed upon oak species.

Bathyphlebia flavior, female, courtesy of Bernhard Wenczel.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adult Bathyphlebia flavior moths emerge from subterranean pupae, and males are slightly smaller than females.

Bathyphlebia flavior (female), Peru, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Night-flying females lay translucent eggs on host plant leaves. The developing larvae can be seen through the egg shells.

Larvae pupate underground in small chambers.

Care of larvae and pupae should be as for any Neotropical species.

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the suspected foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Quercus .......

Oak

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The source of the genus name "Bathyphlebia" is a combination of "bathy" meaning deep and "phlebia" meaning veins.

The species name "flavior" is probably a derivitive of "flavo", meaning yellow, and may refer to more extensive yellow scaling near apex when compared with johnsoni.